County Overview 15 Chapter 2 Chapter County Overview County
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Chapter 2 County Overview Chapter 2 - County Overview 2 - County Chapter 15 Regional Position Overview of Union County ituated within the picturesque Susque- The county has 10 townships: Shanna River Valley in Central Pennsylvania, Union County is located within a three-to-four Buffalo Township hour drive of several major cities. About 165 East Buffalo Township miles northwest of Philadelphia, 181 miles Gregg Township north of Washington, D.C., 141 miles north of Hartley Township Baltimore, MD, 200 miles east of Pittsburgh Kelly Township and 200 miles west of New York City, NY, Union Lewis Township County is easily accessible via Interstate 80 and Limestone Township US Route 15 (Figure 1). Union Township West Buffalo Township Union County is bordered to the east by Nor- White Deer Township thumberland County, to the direct south by And 4 boroughs: Snyder County, to the west by Mifflin, Centre, future. Understanding the county’s position and Clinton Counties, and to the north by Ly- in the region and current demographic, em- Hartleton Borough coming County. ployment, and land use trends is essential to Lewisburg Borough creating a plan for the future that balances Mifflinburg Borough Chapter 2 - County Overview 2 - County Chapter The Susquehanna River, which forms the New Berlin Borough conservation with sustainable growth. eastern boundary of the county, has played an important role in shaping the region’s eco- nomic, community, and cultural identity, what locals have described as being “conveniently isolated”. Union County provides an attractive rural quality of life yet is easily accessible to the major metropolitan areas of the Mid-Atlantic region. The region’s quality of life is in large part due to its strong agricultural heritage and small historic downtowns. While agriculture remains at the foundation of the county’s heritage, industries such as agri- business, wood products, education, and tour- ism, in addition to residential growth trends, are factors which will influence the county’s 17 Figure 1. Regional Context Map Chapter 2 - County Overview 2 - County Chapter 18 Center projects Union County population to percentage increase in total population Population increase by 14.9% reaching 51,641 persons between 2000 and 2010. Kelly Township led Union County population, as illustrated in by 2040, while the Planning Commission the way with a 22% increase, followed by East Figure 2 has been increasing since the county’s calculations suggest a greater growth rate of Buffalo Township at 11.9% and Union Township formation in 1813, with the exception of a 23% between 2010 and 2040. Even using the at 11.4%. It was not unexpected that the area small decline which occurred between 1890 most conservative figures, population will grow along the US Route 15 corridor saw the most and 1920. Between 1920 and 1990, the significantly which will impact community growth. The municipalities in the central part County’s popula tion doubled in size and is resources including greenways and open space. of the county, including Buffalo, Limestone, projected to increase through 2040. and West Buffalo Townships, also experienced Municipal Change 2000 to 2010 population increases as did the municipalities Recent Population Growth of Lewis and Hartley Townships and Hartleton The eastern area of Union County that includes Borough, but this was the slowest growing area According to the U.S. Census, Union County East Buffalo, Kelly, Gregg, Union and White of the county. Incidentally of the four boroughs experienced an 8% population increase (3,323 Deer Townships had the largest numerical and only Mifflinburg lost population between 2000 persons) between 2000 and 2010. This was tied for the second highest increase in the Figure 2. Union County Population entire 11-county SEDA-COG region trailing only Centre County which grew at a faster pace. For comparison the total popula tion in Lycoming County decreased by 3.3% and Overview 2 - County Chapter Northumberland County remained the same during the period. Refer to Figure 3 for a comparison to other counties in the region. Population Estimates and Projections The US Census Bureau provides estimates of population by county, the most recent of which were for 2013 and it shows there has been a slight total population decline in Union County since 2010. However this is debatable, given the continued growth in housing units and the long-term growth suggested by population projections prepared by the Pennsylvania State Data Center and the Union County Planning Commission. The Pennsylvania State Data 19 and 2010 while the other three had cumulative Figure 3. Change in County Population growth of 3.4%. Change in Popula on by County from 2000 - 2010 Population Age Groups 160000 140000 From 2000 to 2010 the county population, 120000 like most of Pennsylvania, continued to age. 100000 Median age increased from 35.8 to 38.5 during on a 80000 this span and the percentage of older residents Popul 60000 increased while the number of younger residents as a percentage of overall population 40000 decreased. In 2000 49% of the population was 20000 under the age of 35 but by 2010 that dropped 0 to 45%. Conversely in 2000 22% of residents 2000 Popula on were over age 55, but by 2010 this rose to 26% 2010 Popula on as more Baby Boomers began to call Union County County home. This mimics statewide trends of lower fertility rates and fewer children per household which has multiple public policy Figure 4. Age Distribution in Union County implications including for greenways, open space, and public recreation. Figure 4 shows Union County Popula on by Age the current age distribution of the population and how the different age groups have changed 45,000 over the past several decades. Since 1980 the 40,000 number of residents over age 45 has increased 65+ Years 35,000 by 88% while overall population during the 55-64 Years same period rose by 37%. 30,000 on 25,000 35-54 Years la 20,000 15-34 Years Popu 15,000 0-14 Years 10,000 5,000 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 Chapter 2 - County Overview 2 - County Chapter Census Data Years 20 Housing Change in Housing Units At the time of the 2000 Census there were 14,684 housing units in Union County. By the 2010 Census this grew to 16,997, a 15.8% increase. The Census Bureau in 2012 estimated that 36 more housing units were gained since 2010, bringing the total number of units to 17,033 for an overall growth rate of 16% during the 12 year period. However it should be noted that local data shows zoning and/or building permits were issued for 110 new housing units during 2011 and 2012, three times the Census Bureau estimate. Chapter 2 - County Overview 2 - County Chapter It is important to highlight that from the 2000 Housing Types to 2010 time period, housing units grew at a faster rate than population. This trend may be The predominant housing type within the a result of multiple factors, such as an overall county is the Single Family Dwelling unit, decrease in household size, growth in the which is estimated to be 70% of the housing percentage of older householders, and/or the stock according to the Census Bureau shrinking percentage of younger households estimates. From 2010 to 2014, Union County (25-35 year old age bracket) in the county. Tax Assessment and GIS records indicate 204 The Union County Planning Commission residential units were constructed with 92% projects increases in housing units in all of the being single family dwellings and 8% multi- municipalities through 2040 with the largest family. The growth in single family detached increases in White Deer and East Buffalo homes is expected to retract to reflect an aging Townships. The Planning Commission also population as demographics shifts continue, projects significant housing growth in Buffalo, including the trend among Millennials to resist Kelly and West Buffalo Townships. or delay home ownership. 21 Household Composition county had one of the lowest unemployment actually lost ground economically. For example, rates in the region, but now it is one of the the $55,964 median family income of 2012 had In 2000 the US Census reported that 70% of highest. This could be due to the steady loss of approximately the same purchasing power as all households were occupied by families and good paying manufacturing jobs. $41,974 in 2000. It should also be noted the 25% were persons living alone. In 2010 family number of people living in poverty increased to households dropped to 67% and single person Employment Projections 12.6% by 2012, up from 8.8% in 2000. households climbed to 28% with average household size also shrinking from 2.5 to 2.4 The Pennsylvania Center for Workforce In- Land Use and Zoning persons countywide, which continues a 20 year formation and Analysis (CWIA) has prepared trend of smaller households. employment projections by industry for the Land Use Economy Central Pennsylvania area. This area includes Union County and the counties that are contig- The land use patterns that are prevalent and Like the rest of Pennsylvania and the United uous. The long-term projections show a growth valued in Union County – such as farmland, States Union County found itself struggling of 5% or the addition of 289,090 jobs from woodlands and open space dotted with small from late 2007 to 2012 to survive and recover 2010 to 2020. towns and rural villages – mirror the land use from the nation’s worst economic recession patterns in the Central Pennsylvania region (See since the Great Depression. While conditions The largest net growth in employment in the Figure 5).